Clin Med Buzzwords

Question 1

Asterixis

Answer 1

Hepatic encephalopathy: think hepatitis or cirrhosis

Question 2

Cullen sign

Answer 2

Pancreatitis

Question 3

Murphy’s sign

Answer 3

Cholecystitis

Question 4

Rovsing’s sign

Answer 4

Appendicitis

Question 5

Shifting dullness

Answer 5

Ascites (cirrhosis)

Question 6

Dry cough

Answer 6

GERD

Question 7

Intermittent epigastric pain, worse with eating

Answer 7

Gastric ulcer

Question 8

Intermittent epigastric pain, worse in morning on empty stomach

Answer 8

Duodenal ulcer

Question 9

RUQ pain, radiating to back

Answer 9

Pancreas

Question 10

Pain by location: RUQ

Answer 10

Gallstones
Stomach ulcer
Pancreatitis (esp radiating to back)

Question 11

Pain by location: epigastric

Answer 11

Stomach ulcer
Gallstones
Pancreatitis
GED
Epigastric hernia

(Cardiac causes)

Question 12

Pain by location: LUQ

Answer 12

Stomach/duodenal ulcer
Pancreatitis (more commonly RUQ)
Biliary colic

Question 13

Pain by location: Right periumbilical

Answer 13

Constipation

UTI, kidney stones

Question 14

Pain by location: periumbilical

Answer 14

Early appendicitis
Stomach ulcer
IBS
Umbilical hernia
Pancreatitis (on test will likely be RUQ)
Bowel obstruction/ischemia 
AAA

Question 15

Pain by location: Left periumbilical

Answer 15

Diverticulitis
Constipation
IBS

(Kidney stones)

Question 16

Pain by location: RLQ

Answer 16

Appendicitis (later stage)
Constipation

R/O all ob/gyn causes

Question 17

Pain by location: Suprapubic

Answer 17

IBS
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis (on test likely umbilical then RLQ)

R/O ob/gyn causes; r/o UTI

Question 18

Pain by location: LLQ

Answer 18

Diverticulitis

R/O ob/gyn causes

Question 19

Asthma/allergy + Dysphagia

Answer 19

Eosinophilic esophagitis

Question 20

Traveler presenting with hepatomegaly/jaundice/pruritus

Answer 20

Hep A

Question 21

RLQ pain

Answer 21

Appendicitis

Question 22

LLQ pain

Answer 22

Diverticulitis

Question 23

RUQ pain + steatorrhea

Answer 23

Consider chronic pancreatitis

Question 24

Pancreatic calcifications

Answer 24

Chronic pancreatitis

Question 25

Ribbon-like stool

Answer 25

Alarm sign for cancer (could also be caused by IBS or IBD)

Question 26

Coffee Bean Sign

Answer 26

Volvulus

Question 27

Target sign

Answer 27

Intussusception | On US

Question 28

Pseudo-kidney sign

Answer 28

Intussusception | On US

Question 29

Currant Jelly Stools

Answer 29

Intussuusception (late sign)

Question 30

Bilious emesis

Answer 30

Surgical emergency until proven otherwise Assumed to be malrotation with volvulus until it can be r/o.

Question 31

Tinkling on auscultation

Answer 31

Consider bowel obstruction

Question 32

5 patients who should NOT get an NGT/OGT

Answer 32

- Maxillofacial trauma - Inability to protect airway - Known strictures - Known varices (not a CI, but sure need to be careful) - Known caustic agent ingestion